It is the classic confrontation in every respect, experience versus youth, enduring champion against young pretender - and serve volleyer against baseline powerhouse.

Sampras is bidding for his 14th Grand Slam crown while Safin is going for his first.

The young Russian has been the star player of the summer and beat Sampras in the quarter finals en route to the Canadian Open title three weeks ago.

But Sampras' experience of the big occasions, and his new found freedom after breaking Roy Emerson's Grand Slam record, makes him the favourite to take his fifth US Open crown.

Prediction: Sampras in four sets